Winter weather keeps repair shops and tow trucks busy

MILWAUKEE— Winter weather can take a toll on cars. With a recent snowfall and cold weather headed to Wisconsin, crews are preparing for an increase in customers. 

Winter is the busiest season of the year for tow truck drivers in Wisconsin.

“The worse the weather gets, the more we’re out in it, trying to help people,” Ray’s Towing tow truck driver, Mark Salentine said.

Salentine said over the weekend. when around 10 inches of snow dropped across southeastern Wisconsin, Ray’s Towing towed hundreds of cars.

He said they can average hundreds of tows each day during the cold and snowy season.

“It’s a bit of an insanity that we are ready for,” Salentine said. “We keep track of the weather, make an all-hands-on deck snow war plan, so then we can do as much as possible, as fast as possible, and as safe as possible.”

With cold weather headed to Wisconsin this week, Salentine said the tow company is expecting an influx of people needing assistance on the roadways.

“It goes up exponentially,” Salentine said. “Two-, three-, four-times as busy as what it could be.”

It’s a similar feeling for local car repair shops in Milwaukee.

Riverside Automotive said its winter preparations began in September, and it is still seeing a steady stream of customers coming in to take care of winter impacts.

Riverside Automotive owner, Peter Bilgo, said right now Riverside Automotive is booked out about a week to a week-and-a-half for repairs.

“There are some accidents where people don’t have good tires; they slide into curbs,” Bilgo said. “Bent wheels and bent suspension spots. Other than that, cars that don’t start. Battery issues, alternator issues or some drivability stuff.”

Bilgo said it’s not just snow that can make an impact; the cold brings a lot of cars in for repairs. Dead batteries are a big concern when it comes to the cold and cars in Wisconsin.

“Make sure that your battery has been tested and has been replaced,” Bilgo said. “If it’s 5-years-old, you want to replace the battery. Make sure your wipers are doing the job that they are supposed to.”

Bilgo also said he wants to remind drivers to make sure their tires are in good condition for winter driving on slippery and snowy surfaces.